xiii, 305 pages : 25 cm

"Nothing is needed more in troubled times than a friend to laugh with - or two friends to laugh at. As Lawrence J. Epstein shows us in Mixed Nuts, the great American comedy teams were there for all of us during the rough years of the twentieth century and, as we head into a turbulent new era, they've made a surprising resurgence. Here, for the first time, Epstein presents the complete story of America's comedy teams, revisiting some of their best-loved routines, revealing the personal stories that lay behind them, and showing how the comedians shaped and were shaped by their eras

From the rollicking twenties, to the threadbare thirties, on into the war years, and all the way through the social turmoil of the latter half of the century, Americans counted on the great comedy teams to respond to events, to make them laugh, and to show that though times might get tough, friendships and humor could always help you through."--Jacket

Includes bibliographical references (pages 277-292) and index

Musty theaters and asbestos curtains : the rise of Burns and Allen -- Wild gags and murdered English : the birth of comedy teams -- An explosion of stars : the first classic comedy teams -- "In this country we're only permitted one husband" : comedy teams on radio -- Comedy comes to the big screen : Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy -- "I shot an elephant in my pajamas" : the Marx Brothers -- Anarchy let loose : other comedy teams of the 1930s -- "Who's on first" : Abbott and Costello meet the 1940s -- The road to temporary teams : Hope and Crosby -- Loco boys make good : the Three Stooges -- "The playboy and the putz" : Martin and Lewis -- "Helloooo, Ball" : comedy teams of the 1950s -- "Mom always liked you best" : comedy teams of the 1960s --Vanishing stars : final acts and the death of comedy teams -- The stars return : the unexpected afterlife and enduring legacy of comedy teams

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